Custodial Sentences

A suspended sentence order is a sentence of custody under 12 months,
suspended for a period ranging from 6 months to 2 years. During this
time, the court can set community requirements from the same options
that are available for the community order.

The custodial sentence is suspended subject to the requirements being
carried out under supervision and the number of requirements depends on
the seriousness of the offence.

If offenders fail to comply with the community requirements, they will
be breached, and returned to court. They will also be breached if they
commit another offence during the supervision period.

Imprisonment and release on licence

All offenders sentenced to 12 months or more imprisonment are subject to
licence conditions on release from prison. They are automatically
released at the halfway point, and the licence period lasts for the
second half of the sentence. Probation staff supervise licences and the
work, which begins in prison to address offending behaviour, continues
in the community.

Public protection sentences

There are two sentences available to the crown court for the most
dangerous offenders where public protection issues are paramount. The
criteria for these sentences are determined by the offence committed and
the level of risk posed.

Imprisonment for public protection

The offender is sentenced to an indeterminate sentence. The judge will
set a minimum term to be served, however the offender will only be
released when the parole board is satisfied that they no longer present
a serious risk to the public. This means that the offender can serve as
many years in prison as is considered necessary.

Determinate sentence with extended licence period

The offender is sentenced to an appropriate term of imprisonment. Here
the Judge will add an extended period of licence in the community once
released.